One time in high school, a "nerdy" boy who had felt more than his share
of teasing, fell asleep in the library and started snoring. People started to
snicker. A slight, unatheletic boy with a repaired cleft palate stood up and
told everyone to quit laughing. He did so with the risk that the ridicule would
turn to him. But it didn't. I learned that he could be a defender, so
could I.

I too rode a bus and had the same problem. Every day I was picked up at the
last bus stop, would climb the stairs, and have to ask people who were already
sitting two to a seat if I could sit with them. It was embarrassing and
humiliating every day. Most students would sit on the edge of their seats with
their legs and feet in the aisle, insinuating "don't ask." I loved
the bus ride home after school -- since it was whoever could get to the bus
first! But sitting three to a seat was terrible because there were only 6 inches
to sit on -- but it was a seat! It really was a miserable part of my life for
five years! When I was a junior/senior in high school, I was so relieved because
I usually drove to school because of after-school activities. I think I will
write a card today to the very shy and reserved gal who would say yes when I
asked to sit with her. If my bus driver was still alive, I'd send him a
thank you too for being such a good friend all those years.

@CV gal - I
saw one time on the news about this Alpine School District Transportation (Utah
County), I was stunned how crowded on the school bus daily when some kids may
have to use the stairs getting to/back from school. That is not acceptable and
not safe. If it was true then the district need to get more buses or something.
Three kids per seat for high school? I don't think so.

Thank you for writing this story today! I, too, rode the dreaded bus to school,
and I laughed out loud as I read your true description of how it was! This was
so inspiring in helping us to be more aware of those around us, and show a
little kindness. I read a quote the other day that said, "The small act of
kindness you show today may be forgotten by you tomorrow, but is remembered for
a lifetime by the one who received it". By the end of your story, I had
tears in my eyes. I printed a copy and read it to my kids, and I'm also
reading it in my lesson in young women's on Sunday. Thank you!!!

Thank you for sharing and what a powerful reminder how a simple act truly can
have a big impact not only on the one who is the recipient but those around. I
can't wait to share this with my teenagers who walk the halls of high
school and college and we know the power of a smile and a hello really can make
one's day.

I love the story and the posts that appear here. Wow, for the goodness of all
Roys. I attended a school fifth through eighth grades that was more misery than
the bus ride. There was endless bullying, terrifying sexual harassment, little
teacher supervision outside and I knew alcohol and tobacco were freely used
after night school events. I learned to not care about remarks and insinuations,
and I also learned a lot of things I wished I wasn't learning. Recently as
a older adult, I've been in the midst of a adult bullying scenario. It
brought back those awful days of youth, and I will not be intimidated by the
people who caused my elderly parents so much stress. I'd rather be like Roy
and correcting a wrong in his incredible way, and I am grateful for Roys in my
life who have made a difference. Thank you for a wonderful story to which most
of us relate!

I am way past school but I try to look for chances to help people I see feel
better about themselves. As we were going into the grocery store where we shop
I noticed a woman who didn't look very happy about gathering
"loose" shopping carts in the parking lot. I spoke to her from about 15
feet away and just said how much we appreciated her efforts to keep the parking
lot orderly and it was one of the reasons we liked to shop at this particular
store. I added a simple "Thank you for your effort and hard work". It
was like a light turned on over her head! She smiled and replied, "Thank
you! That's just what I needed today!" and she was smiling as she took
the row of carts to the cart corral. So there are ways for us all to be a
"Roy" to those around us if we just look for opportunities!

Article quote: "Sometimes I like to think back to that boy hiding behind a
tree in the woods. I think there might be a little bit of him in all of us. It
seems everyone has those rough days when they either feel invisible or wish they
could be."

Man!, that's the truth! I had a couple of those
moments as a senior in high school. "Awful" is an understatement. Why
are people so mean? And yet, I'm reminded of a time when I was much
younger kid that I myself was very unkind to another kid a year or two younger
than me. I wish I could apologize to him. He wasn't the idiot.....I was.

God bless all the "Roy's" of the world.

And
to that kid at Longview Elementary in Phoenix, AZ....I'm very sorry.

I drive a school bus and I always worry about the "tree-hiders" and
bullies who may be on my bus. I was bullied on the bus in junior high and I
always wondered why the bus driver didn't do anything about it. Now I
know. As a driver myself, I can't see or hear everything and am always
grateful when someone lets me know what is going on so I can address it. I am
always grateful to the "Roys" on my bus who show such a good example to
others.